Connections: July 5, 2022 |
|
A Pilgrimage of Faith and Exploration: Summer 2022 Worship at CCSM |
|
Dear Beloved Community at CCSM -
Happy Independence Day, or Interdependence Day, or however you understand this occasion at this particular moment in time. Thank you so much to Rev. Valerie McEntee for leading us in worship this past Sunday. Her message was such a hopeful reminder of how far we've come but also how far we still need to go - and that the work of striving for justice is always worth it. If you missed it, please do go back and watch. (Click here for the video of the full service on 07-03-2022)
I like to think of interdependence and interdependence as a continuum, where sometimes we need to correct with a bit more of one than the other. It depends on context, it depends on the situation, it depends on who we are. There is wisdom in both.
For me, this relates to a reframing of the so-called "seven deadly sins" that I once heard. The idea is that each of those "sins" exists on a continuum with something else at the other extreme. So, for example, we might imagine the "pride" continuum with "extreme self-centeredness" at one end and "extreme self-negation" at the other. There can certainly be issues with too much pride, but also with too little. And, depending on who we are and when and where we are living, we might need to correct more one way or the other.
I like the idea that we are constantly needing to consider the balance. That it's not that any small movement in one direction is necessarily a problem, but just that we need to consider a wider perspective. What is "right" isn't one specific point on a line but a general area that we should aim for the best we can, sometimes needing to correct one way or the other.
I think it is much the same with ideas like independence and freedom. Of course those are good in comparison with, say, repression, tyranny, and subordination. But we also need to remember the value and importance of concepts like mutuality, cooperation, and equality that can help us to orient toward a good space on the continuum. And if we aren't sure what space to aim for, the voices of those who are most marginalized, the voice of the Spirit, and the voice of our own inner teacher can help to guide the way.
Please join us again next Sunday, July 10, for what promises to be another powerful service. Our preacher will be another beloved member of the CCSM community, Alan Roby. I know we will be blessed by his words and his leadership. Please come as you are able, either in person or online. We'll be glad to have you with us and the community will be better with your presence in it!
Peace be with you always,
Sheryl
PS: Please see below for great news about our new Interim Senior Minister! I really enjoyed the chance to meet Rev. Melissa a few weeks ago and I truly believe she is exactly who is called to walk with us in this time of transition. Thank you so much to our Board and Search Team for their diligent work!
|
|
A Message from your Moderator, Julie Lenden
The Board of Directors and I are pleased to announce we have hired an Interim Senior Minister, Melissa Douaire, who will start on September 1st.
|
|
CLICK on the video to the right to watch Julie announce this in yesterday's worship service
Melissa earned her MDiv from Chicago Theological Seminary and has served as an Interim Pastor and Pastor in the Chicagoland area. Melissa has certificates in grief counseling and intentional interim ministry, among other disciplines.
The co-chairs of the search committee for the permanent minister, the Board of Directors, and the staff who met Melissa believe she is the right person for the right time. Her principles and goals for CCSM are aligned with ours. We have some tough work to do both spiritually and strategically, and Melissa will not only guide us through our feelings from the pulpit but will also be an advisor to the search committee and help the entire congregation engage in critical strategic visioning. Melissa is well aware of the tasks at hand and is eager to set the permanent Senior Minister and CCSM up for success in the long term.
Pastoral relations is one of Melissa's passions and we are drawn to her warmth, self-awareness, and desire to have fun with us along the way. While Melissa’s official start date is in September, she will consult, mainly with the search committee, over the summer. Melissa resides in Colorado with her husband and has three grown children. She will visit the Bay Area the week of July 31 to look for a rental unit and will attend our service that day. We can’t wait for you to meet her.
I also want to share a little bit about what I learned from this process:
#1. Veril Phillips and Kathy Gallo are remarkable people. Working with them to vet the 18 candidates was a collaborative and positive experience and I thank both of them so much for their availability, thoughtful reasoning, and their good natures.
#2. CCSM is really appealing to Ministers. If they don't already know us, our light shines through with work we do and the people we are. As we narrowed down the list of 18 candidates to 5 candidates, it was really clear that they all wanted this position. What a joy it is to be part of a community where our energy and spirit are contagious. Thank you for continuing to be the light in the world. The search for an Interim makes me even more hopeful for the permanent minister search team and what's next for CCSM.
I also want to thank the staff, music ministry, and Sheryl and Jorge, who will continue to guide us so thoughtfully and meaningfully during this time of transition. We see you, we value you, and we are grateful.
Julie
|
|
Message from Interim Senior Minister,
Rev. Melissa Douaire
Congregants of CCSM, Board of Directors, Search Team, Fellow Clergy, Staff and Julie, Kathy and Veril,
I am honored, and humbled, by the opportunity to walk beside you during this period of transition. As a congregation and community, you were well represented by Julie, Kathy and Veril being the face and voice of CCSM!
The loss of a beloved pastor is difficult and I am sensitive to the collective and cumulative losses and change we have experienced over the last two and half years due to the Pandemic.
Change means we hold fear of the unknown and hopes for the future in tension.
My mind is racing with questions and thoughts about getting to know you as individuals, fellow servants, and as a community. Who are you now? What are the narratives you offer as members and staff about your church? What is your involvement in ministry? What are your hopes for the future?
I look forward to meeting all of you and learning about your personal faith journeys, gifts of service, and hopes for the future. I am here to listen, here to see and here to hold space for your discernment for the future of CCSM.
Thank you for your confidence to serve you faithfully, honestly, and with agape love. Sheryl and Jorge, I am very excited to serve beside you! Chase, and other Staff members, I am eager to learn from you and share the lift. I promise to give CCSM all that I can with the Help and Grace of God.
See you July 31st in worship!
Peace and grace,
Rev. Melissa Douaire
|
|
Click on the video above for the most recent entire worship service, or click HERE to listen to Rev. Valerie McEntee's sermon, COULD GO EITHER WAY
|
|
Coming Back to Community Events
Sign Up Now!
Carne Asada Feast, July 23, 5-7 p.m. CCSM
You don’t want to miss Pastor Jorge’s Carne Asada feast on July 23. He will be cooking up a storm to serve guests on the CCSM lawn, and it promises to be a great family experience. We are asking guests to pay $15/person or $30/family to attend, but if that doesn't fit your budget right now, don't let that stop you. Just sign up and come enjoy some amazing food. Let Jorge, Sandy McNabb (Sandra.j.mcnabb@gmail.com, 650-678-5650) or Diane Kalliam (dkalliam@gmail.com, 415-279-1359) know you're coming.
Tamale Cooking Class — rescheduled to September
The Tamale Cooking Class announced last week that it will be rescheduled to September. A date will be announced soon.
Upcoming event reminders
As these dates get closer, more details will be provided. In the meantime, if you'd like tickets or to sign up for:
BASEBALL (San Jose Giants) and BBQ on August 12, contact Kay Harris at communi_ks@me.com for the baseball game tickets/information
Find info on all upcoming events by clicking HERE.
|
|
Summer brings new possibilities!
As you embark on your summer adventures, whether away or at home, here's a question we would like you to ponder.
What is something you’ve been missing or gave up during the Pandemic that you want to reconnect with this summer?
Was it a spiritual experience, an event, a person, or place? The Liturgical Arts Team will be creating an installation for Homecoming Sunday with anything you provide that is a physical representation of your adventures. It could be a photo, poem, art work, rock, flower, or anything that evokes your experience.
To participate, bring your item(s) to the Church office between August 19 - Sept 1. For our non-local community, please mail to CCSM with Attn: LAM Homecoming included on the outside of your package or envelope. (225 Tilton Ave., San Mateo, CA 94401) All items will be returned if possible.
Let us know:
What type of experience: trip, activity, event, etc.
Who experienced it? Family, friends, others. Include your name
When and location
If you have questions, please contact Laura Pierce-McKenzie, Liturgical Arts Ministry Lead. Contact information in Church directory.
|
|
CCSM Playlists for inspiration
If you're looking for some comfort and inspiration, one place to look might be one of the playlists Chuck has created on Youtube where you can find uplifting prayers and songs selected from our services. You can find the prayers here and the songs here. Please make use of this wonderful resource!
|
|
Pray for Ukraine Every Tuesday at 7:30pm
CCSM held a powerful live Prayer Ritual for Ukraine on March 6th. We have decided to premier this ritual ONLINE every Tuesday until the war ends. We hope you will join us online weekly to continue our prayers and heal our hearts. These are challenging times and this offering is a way to bring our community together and magnify our prayers.
Please share this link with your friends and family so we can extend this offering to as many people as possible.
|
|
|
225 Tilton Avenue • San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 343-3694
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
